A brief spell of rain two weeks ago did not give a lasting change to the drought for Emily Gerhardt and her family on their western Queensland farm, but she says it did give them hope.

The 21-year-old works on the 20,000 acre family property with about 600 head of cattle at Talwood with her parents, older sister and younger brother.

"I few months ago there were three [farms] a week going under. That's just in our area," she told ABC News Online.

Her family was just one of many around Queensland and New South Wales that watched the Federal Government’s announcement this morning of a $320 million drought assistance package.

I few months ago there were three [farms] a week going under. That's just in our area.

Emily Gerhardt

"I think it's fantastic that they are actually paying attention that there is a problem and we need to fix it," she said.

In particular, the $280 million to provide low interest loans is something that will help her family.

"I know that my family will be jumping on that because we're paying for the 7 per cent interest," she said.

"So if we can take 3 per cent off that then that'll be really good."

There are two dams and a bore on the Gerhardt property.

Ms Gerhardt says the dam that supplies the house has about one month's supply of water left, the second dam is running even drier, but the bore is supplying just enough water for the cattle.

There has not been any run-off water from rain in the region for two years, she says.

Ms Gerhardt says she thinks her family will pull through, but there are others for whom the drought assistance package will come too late.

Culling of livestock has occurred in the region as water supplies dwindle and Ms Gerhardt says she is worried that some people "are not even going to bother trying" to apply for the concessional loans.

She says the region is likely to see a lot more farms shut before farmers see a way forward with the assistance package.

"It was happening in December. There were people going out and shooting whole herds of cattle," she said.

'It's emotionally and physically draining'

Wide-scale culling has not happened on the Gerhardt property, but Ms Gerhardt says there have been occasions where cattle need to be put down.

I have a fantastic father and an absolutely wonderful brother. He's 19 and he shoots the cattle for me so I don't have to.

Emily Gerhardt

"I have a fantastic father and an absolutely wonderful brother. He's 19 and he shoots the cattle for me so I don't have to, because I couldn't do that mentally. I'd be a complete wreck," she said.

"When you can't look after your animals, there is that emotional tie there. I hate it. I hate that emotional tie.

"We've got a milking cow at the moment and she's gone down and we can’t get her to get up because she's too poor and heavily in calf, and the only thing we can do is cart water and feed to her and try to keep her alive.

"That's all we can do. It is emotionally and physically draining."

Ms Gerhardt has welcomed the $10.7 million in extra funds for social and mental health services in the region which has been plagued by both drought and floods over the years.

However, she says it is vital that the mental health funding is not pulled when the drought breaks.

After the floods were finished they took that mental health assistance away and there was about seven people who killed themselves in our area within a week.

Emily Gerhardt

"Because after the floods were finished they took that mental health assistance away and there was about seven people who killed themselves in our area within a week," she said.

She says think there is no other options available to them.

"They’re messed up in the head so much, that the only way they think they can look after their family is with their insurance policy," she said.

The drought remains, but Ms Gerhardt says there was excitement when rain fell at Talwood two weeks ago for the first time in a long while.

"We had grass two days after that rain," she said.

"And you just look at the cows and calves and the calves start jumping around and it's hope for the future.

"That's what this drought assistance package has given those fellas who didn't get that little bit of rain. It's given that hope that it might be alright."

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, help is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.